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The Wouldbegoods
The Wouldbegoods

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Wouldbegoods is here in full — 325 sentences across 65 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Cover illustration for The Wouldbegoods
Context Illustration Reading 1/65 · 5 lines
English subtitles · tap any word to listen 1 / 5
It began one morning at breakfast.
It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.
Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.
A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.
Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.
0:00 / 0:00
Speed 0.75x
AI-generated narration by OpenAI · Slow US English
LEARNER DICTIONARY
Archivist
/ˈɑːrkɪvɪst/
Editorial verification pending

A keeper or guardian of historical records and memories.

The Wouldbegoods

Chapter X · Chapter 10

Chapter 10 of The Wouldbegoods is here in full — 325 sentences across 65 reading sections, with audio for every sentence and word.

Reading 1/65 · 5 reading units · Lines 1–5

Line 1
It began one morning at breakfast.
Line 2
It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.
Line 3
Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.
Line 4
A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.
Line 5
Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

All words in this reading · 69

Every word in these five lines is listed here, and every one of them can be played on its own.

Dictionary details are shown only when verified; these are not licensed Oxford entries.

A

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

all

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

always

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

and

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

another

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

are

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

at

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It began one morning at breakfast.

August

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

Bastable

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

be

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

because

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

began

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It began one morning at breakfast.

birthday

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

birthday-card

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

breakfast

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It began one morning at breakfast.

but

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

Christmas

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

could

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

did

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

Eve

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

Father

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

fifteenth

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

for

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

forward

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

Great

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

had

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

happy

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

he

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

his

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

is

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

It

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It began one morning at breakfast.

keep

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

keeping

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

knew

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

like

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

little

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

looked

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

make

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

many

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

morning

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It began one morning at breakfast.

Napoleon

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

nice

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

not

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

of

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

off

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

on

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

one

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It began one morning at breakfast.

only

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

or

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

Oswald

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

putting

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

repine

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

returns

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

Saturday

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

so

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

Sunday

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

that

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

the

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

there

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

they

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

to

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald was to keep his birthday on the Saturday, so that his Father could be there.

two

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

up

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

very

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

was

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

when

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading A birthday when there are only many happy returns is a little like Sunday or Christmas Eve.

writer

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading It was the fifteenth of August--the birthday of Napoleon the Great, Oswald Bastable, and another very nice writer.

you

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

your

Dictionary entry pending editorial verification. Tap Listen to hear the word.

From this reading Oswald had a birthday-card or two--that was all; but he did not repine, because he knew they always make it up to you for putting off keeping your birthday, and he looked forward to Saturday.

Chapter 10 of The Wouldbegoods by E. (Edith) Nesbit holds 325 sentences, grouped into 65 reading sections of at most 5 sentences. The text is the public-domain source, unabridged, and the chapter records which sentences cover which part of the work so that nothing is dropped. Every word can be tapped for its pronunciation and dictionary entry.

What does chapter 10 of The Wouldbegoods contain?

Chapter 10 holds 325 sentences of The Wouldbegoods, unabridged, divided into 65 reading sections.

This page carries chapter 10 of The Wouldbegoods by E. (Edith) Nesbit exactly as it stands in the public-domain source edition, without abridgement. It runs to 325 sentences, grouped into 65 sections of at most 5 sentences so that a reader can take the chapter in steady, finishable pieces. The chapter also stores a coverage record mapping every one of its sentences to a part of the work, which is how the edition demonstrates that no line was dropped.

How do I study chapter 10 of The Wouldbegoods?

Work through the 65 sections in order, replaying any sentence and tapping unfamiliar words for their entries.

Each of the 65 sections in this chapter is short enough to read once, hear once, and then re-read with the vocabulary in view. Tapping a word plays it alone and opens its dictionary entry with IPA, part of speech and meaning, so the reader is never forced to guess a pronunciation from spelling. Working section by section keeps a long chapter from becoming an undifferentiated wall of text, which is the usual reason a reader abandons a work of this period.

Can chapter 10 be read aloud to me?

Yes — every sentence and every individual word in chapter 10 can be played aloud in United States English.

Audio covers the whole chapter: any sentence can be played, and any single word within it can be played on its own. The voice uses United States English. For a work of this period that matters, because spelling is an unreliable guide to pronunciation for vocabulary that has fallen out of daily use, and a learner who guesses wrong tends to keep the error. Hearing the word in its own sentence, and then alone, settles it.

Questions about reading The Wouldbegoods

Common questions about reading The Wouldbegoods by E. (Edith) Nesbit on this page, its source edition and its audio.

Is this the complete text of The Wouldbegoods?

Yes. All 4724 sentences of Project Gutenberg eBook #794 are kept, with a record of which sentences cover which part.

Which edition of The Wouldbegoods is used?

Project Gutenberg eBook #794, a public-domain edition. The Project Gutenberg header, footer and licence are removed.

How long does The Wouldbegoods take to read?

About 393 minutes of reading across 945 sections of 5 sentences each, at an unhurried pace.

How to read The Wouldbegoods section by section

How to work through The Wouldbegoods section by section, using the audio and the tap-to-define vocabulary.

  1. Open a chapter

    Choose one of the 14 chapters of The Wouldbegoods to begin.

  2. Read one section

    Each section holds 5 sentences; read it once through.

  3. Listen and tap

    Play the section aloud, then tap any unfamiliar word for its entry.

Vocabulary met early in The Wouldbegoods

Words and structures a reader meets early in The Wouldbegoods, each tappable for pronunciation and meaning.

Children
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wouldbegoods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Proper
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wouldbegoods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Place
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wouldbegoods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.
Stand
A word that appears in the opening chapter of The Wouldbegoods; the reader can tap it to hear it and see its dictionary entry.